“Initially seen flying around Staple Newk at 12.25pm, the bird drifted off to the north. However, it was eventually relocated on the sea again off Staple Newk, before flying back to the cliff top and landing amongst the gannets.

“On view for over 30 minutes, it was spooked by an aggressive gannet and looked like it was flying back out to sea. However, it then turned back towards the colony, before drifting slowly north-west near to the base of the cliffs and disappearing out of view at 3pm.”

Observatory secretary Tony Hood said earlier this week: “No more sightings here but the same bird was tracked up the coast on Thursday with sightings past Durham, Northumberland and into Lothian in Scotland. Presumably the same bird was then back in Germany the following day, just like last time.”

Before last week, the only person quick enough to grab a photo of the albatross had been 12-year-old Joe Fryer.